Latest update April 3rd, 2025 7:31 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

The importance and contributions of the diaspora

May 25, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor,

Hundreds of Guyanese and other Caribbean nationals in the diaspora are travelling to Georgetown to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Guyana’s independence.
Guyanese and their regional counterparts are scattered all over the planet. The US is no exception where thousands of Jamaicans, Guyanese, Trinidadians, Barbadians, Antiguans, Grenadians and other parts of the region work and live and to some extent try to transform their adopted homes to the land of their birth.
They brought their culture, cuisines, music, cricket and other activities to the United States and most countries have organizations, where they celebrate their national day and other cultural activities. Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago which have large Indian populations celebrate their religious functions such  as Phagwah,  Deepavali by Hindus and Eid by the Muslims in which their friends from other islands participate and to a certain extent integrate the society. Of course some Florida born Caucasians and even American Indians, celebrate with their Caribbean friends.
There is no doubt that the Caribbean diaspora  play a very important role in United States— many of them are nurses, businessmen, clerks, teachers, and even university professors as well as medical doctors and lawyers.  Of course a large number of Caribbean nationals are labourers and many of them work with the city and county councils and assist in developing their communities. It is often said that West Indians work harder overseas than their homeland. There is a reason for this because hundreds if not thousands  send remittances on a regular basis to their loved less fortunate ones at home. This is said is being abused in some cases where those at home do not try to seek meaningful employment, but rather wait on hand-outs from their relatives abroad.
Many Caribbean nationals are active in community activities in the United States –
some of them are volunteers with the Red Cross, Old Folks home, and voluntary organizations. Some realize funds to assist schools, and communities at home. Jamaica is leading in this regard and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in that has set up a unit to handle diaspora affairs. Speaking about Jamaica that country reggae music is extremely popular in Southern Florida. Trinidad’s calypso is also a favorite and so is the chutney music, the Indian version of soca.
Grenada has an active Association in the Miami/Dade/ Broward area and cultural activities on a regular basis. I attended a function a few years ago in which Grenada born Slinger Francisco, the Mighty Sparrow, the King of Calypso, entertained the large crowd and Guyana’s Dave Martin did a few shows also.
Jamaica’s spicy jerk pork or chicken, patties, curry goat, fried dumplings, fried plantain, jerked steam cabbage and the Guyanese roti and curry, cook-up rice,  chowmein, garlic pork and pepperpot add some spice to the numerous Caribbean cuisines not to forget  Antigua’s funjie, and ducana. Caribbean restaurants are scattered in areas which have a thickly populated West Indian population which is increasing every year.
Cricket is the No. 1 sport in the Caribbean and the diaspoyra has brought the game to Floriin where it is played on a competitive basis by scores of clubs. It has taken off with so much enthusiasm that a large number of non West Indians are involved including Mayor Kaplan and Commissioner Holness.  Former world record holder Lance Gibbs who lives in Kendalls is actively involved in promoting the game and a stadium was built in Central Broward to accommodate the summer game. In fact New Zealand played three matches against the West Indies three years ago and four CPL matches are carded for that ground between July 28 and 31.
The regional governments are well aware of the important role their nationals are playing overseas and they have representatives – consul generals, honorary consuls – in South Florida to facilitate their nationals with passport renewals, permits and other administrative matters. Heads of government and ministers of government pay periodical visits to address the diaspora.
Oscar Ramjeet

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 31st, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

 

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Rotary Club of New Amsterdam Childhood Obesity Prevention Inter Secondary School Tapeball Cricket competition continues

Rotary Club of New Amsterdam Childhood Obesity Prevention Inter...

Apr 03, 2025

Kaieteur Sports- When the competition continued there were action at the Rose Hall Community Centre in East Canje and the Berbice High School Grounds. There were wins for Berbice Educational...
Read More
Demerara beat Berbice by 6 wickets after Apple half-century blitz

Demerara beat Berbice by 6 wickets after Apple...

Apr 03, 2025

DCB Under19 Inter-Association Cricket Tournament 2025 begins

DCB Under19 Inter-Association Cricket Tournament...

Apr 03, 2025

Tagore Memorial Secondary School benefits from cricket gear, courtesy of the Bheer family

Tagore Memorial Secondary School benefits from...

Apr 03, 2025

Hurricanes knock Eagles off course despite Anderson gritty 77*

Hurricanes knock Eagles off course despite...

Apr 03, 2025

Peter’s Hall, Herstelling ‘A’ advance to EBDCA Division II 40-Over semis

Peter’s Hall, Herstelling ‘A’ advance to...

Apr 03, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]